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Fantasy football week 2: Top 8 waiver wire running backs

By Zachary Thompson

Sep 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) attempts to tackle New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) attempts to tackle New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) prepares to hand off to running back Ronnie Hillman (23) in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) prepares to hand off to running back Ronnie Hillman (23) in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Ronnie Hillman-Denver Broncos (48.0%)

Surprisingly, with the first round of waiver wire work going through on ESPN Hillman’s ownership percentage actually dropped. He’s still owned in just under half of ESPN leagues, but I think he’s a great depth option if you can add him.  Maybe owners just don’t want to have to watch the Denver offense because in week 1 they definitely were painful to watch.

Denver failed to score an offensive touchdown and Peyton Manning looked physically done at quarterback (not saying he is done, just that he looked it).  On the ground, the Broncos didn’t fare much better totaling 69 yards on the ground with no play longer than 11 yards. However, as the season goes on, I do expect coach Gary Kubiak to figure out the running game and get the offense in gear at least to a much higher degree than they were in week 1.

The interesting thing to notice about Hillman in week 1 is that he ended up with just as many carries as lead back C.J. Anderson.  Anderson was drafted in the first round of many fantasy drafts, but he struggled to just 29 yards on his 12 carries. Hillman did better rushing for 41 yards on his 12 carries but neither managed to find the end zone.

If Peyton continues to struggle, I think the Broncos will have to go increasingly run-heavy, and I’m not convinced that C.J. Anderson can carry the full load.  He sprained his toe in week one and is also still dealing with an ankle injury. To give him a chance to recover expect Kubiak to continue to share the wealth in the Denver backfield.

As far as playing Hillman this week, I’m not extremely high on him since he’s in a tough matchup against a good Chiefs defense on a short week, but he should definitely be owned in all formats.  The Denver offense will likely get this figured out, and when they do Hillman could end up with a much bigger role than when we all thought he was behind Montee Ball coming into the preseason.

Next: Dion Lewis-New England Patriots

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